Titus 3

Christian Living among Outsiders

1Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work,[#Rm 13:1-7; 1Pt 2:13-14]

2to slander no one, to avoid fighting, and to be kind, always showing gentleness to all people.[#Jms 3:13]

3For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved by various passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, detesting one another.[#2Pt 1:4; 2:10; #Jms 4:1]

4But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love

for mankind appeared,

5He saved us —[#Rm 11:14; 2Tm 1:9]

not by works of righteousness that we had done,

but according to His mercy —

through the washing of regeneration

and renewal by the Holy Spirit.

6He poured out this Spirit on us abundantly[#Jl 2:28; Ac 2:33; 10:45; Rm 5:5]

through Jesus Christ our Savior

7so that, having been justified by His grace,[#Ac 13:43; 15:11; 1Co 8:1; Gl 1:6; 1Pt 4:10]

we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life.

8This saying is trustworthy. I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed God might be careful to devote themselves to good works. These are good and profitable for everyone.[#1Tm 1:15; 3:1; 4:9; 2Tm 2:11]

9But avoid foolish debates, genealogies, quarrels, and disputes about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.[#1Tm 6:4; #1Tm 1:4; #Rm 1:29; 13:13; 1Co 1:11; 3:3; 2Co 12:20; Gl 5:20; Php 1:15; 1Tm 6:4]

10Reject a divisive person after a first and second warning,[#1Tm 1:9; #Mt 18:15; 2Th 3:15]

11knowing that such a person is perverted and sins, being self-condemned.

Final Instructions and Closing

12When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, make every effort to come to me in Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there.[#Ac 20:4; Eph 6:21; Col 4:7; 2Tm 4:12; #Lk 14:26; 2Tm 4:9]

13Diligently help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey, so that they will lack nothing.[#Ac 18:24; 19:1; 1Co 1:12; 3:4-6,22; 4:6; 16:12; #Jms 2:15]

14And our people must also learn to devote themselves to good works for cases of urgent need, so that they will not be unfruitful.[#Mt 13:22; Mk 4:19; 1Co 14:14; Gl 5:22; Eph 5:11; 2Pt 1:8; Jd 12]

15All those who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with all of you.[#Col 4:18; 2Th 3:16]

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Published by: LifeWay Christian Resources